Process for manufacturing phenoxylactic acids, their derivatives and products obtained thereby

ABSTRACT

The process is for the manufacture of phenoxylactic acids and their derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## (in which R 1  and R 2 , identical or different, can represent hydrogen atoms, methyl residues, methoxy groups or halogens; Y represents an OH or O--CO--R 3  group with R 3  representing either an aliphatic residue possibly substituted by a halogen, or an aromatic residue possibly substituted on the nucleus by one or several methyl, methoxy, halogen groups or lastly a heterocyclic group; Z represents OH group or an ##STR2## with R 4  representing an alkyl or aryl radical and R 5  hydrogen or an alkyl radical, NR 4  R 5  possibly also representing the morpholinyl radical). A cyanhydrin is subjected to a Ritter reaction (reaction with tert. butanol or isobutene in the presence of an acid). The resulting compound is hydrolyzed to obtain the corresponding acid, and if desired, this acid is subjected to conventional reactions for preparing ester-acids, ester-amides or corresponding amides.

The present invention relates to the production of a general class of chemical compounds, namely that of phenoxylactic acids and their derivatives as well as the novel products resulting therefrom.

The compounds according to the invention correspond to the general formula ##STR3## where R₁ and R₂ are identical or different and can represent hydrogen atoms, methyl residues, methoxy groups or halogens;

Y represents an --OH or --O--CO--R₃ group with R₃ representing either an aliphatic residue possibly substituted by a halogen, or an aromatic residue possibly substituted on the nucleus by one or several methyl, methoxy, halogen groups, or a saturated or unsaturated arylaliphatic residue, or lastly a heterocyclic group;

Z represents the --OH group or an ##STR4## with R₄ representing an alkyl or aryl radical and R₅ hydrogen or an alkyl radical, --NR₄ R₅ possibly also representing the morpholinyl radical.

Thus:

In the particular case where Z and Y represent --OH, the compounds of the invention are the phenoxylactic acids themselves of the general formula: ##STR5## where R₁ and R₂ have the above-indicated significance;

In the particular case where Z represents the OH group and Y represents the --O--CO--R₃ group, the compounds of the invention are esters in the 2 position of the above acids (A₁) corresponding to the general formula: ##STR6## where R₁ and R₂ have the above-indicated significance;

In the particular case where Y represents OH and Z represents the ##STR7## as defined above, the compounds of the invention are the secondary and tertiary amides of the above acids, corresponding to the general formula: ##STR8## where R₁ and R₂ have the above-indicated significance;

and lastly in the particular case where Y represents the --O--CO--R₃ group as defined above and Z represents the NR₄ R₅ group as defined above, the compounds of the invention are the ester-amide derivatives of A₃ corresponding to the general formula: ##STR9## where R₁ and R₂ have the previously given significance.

The process according to the invention is essentially characterized by the fact that it consists of subjecting a cyanhydrin of the formula: ##STR10## (where R₁ and R₂ have the above-given significance) to a RITTER reaction (reaction with tert. butanol or isobutene in the presence of an acid which is generally sulphuric acid) to produce the compound of the formula: ##STR11## of hydrolysing the latter to obtain the corresponding compound of formula: ##STR12## which is then subjected to conventional reactions for preparing the ester-acid of the formula: ##STR13## the amide of the formula: ##STR14## or of the formula: ##STR15## where R₄ and R₅ have the above-mentioned significance.

The starting cyanhydrin serving for carrying out the process of the invention is obtained from the corresponding phenoxy acetaldehyde using the usual methods for preparing a cyanhydrin from an aldehyde.

These cyanhydrins (3-phenoxy lactonitriles) constitute novel products.

Subjected to the conditions of the RITTER reaction as indicated above, these cyanhydrins lead, with good yields, to the tertiobutylamides (A_(3a)) of 3-phenoxy lactic acids of which no representative is mentioned in the literature to the knowledge of Applicants.

The hydrolysis of these tertiobutylamides enables the production of the corresponding 3-phenoxy lactic acids (A₁).

With these acids available, the technician skilled in the art then possesses a means enabling the production of the corresponding O-acyl 3-phenoxy lactic acids (A₂) of which all the representatives are novel products.

These derivatives treated with chlorinating agents give the corresponding acid chlorides which subjected to the action of amines, can easily be converted into the corresponding ester-amides (A₄). In addition, if the latter compounds are subjected to deacylation by selective hydrolysis, the various alpha hydroxyamides of the 3-phenoxy lactic acids are obtained.

These hydroxyamides may in their turn be O-acylated by means of acid chlorides: R₃ --CO--Cl. This constitutes an interesting route to the A₄ derivatives which can thus be obtained:

either from esters in the 2 postion of the phenoxylactic acids;

or from hydroxyamides (A₃) obtained for example from an easily available compound A₄.

Certain compounds A_(4a) in which R₄ =(CH₃)₃ C and R₅ =H can obviously be produced more directly from hydroxyamides (A_(3a)).

The reaction diagram below illustrates the method for preparing the above compounds.

The following examples are given by way of non-limiting illustration.

In these examples, the compounds accompanied by an asterisk (*) are known compounds.

The melting points were measured on a Kofler bank.

Thin layer chromatography (T.L.C.) was carried out on silica gel plates on a plastics support, eluted by the ascending method and developed with a sulphopermanganic mixture. The eluants used were:

    ______________________________________                                         A:  chloroform alone;  C:    chloroform/methanol                                                            (95/5);                                           B:  chloroform/methanol (99/1);                                                                       D:    chloroform/methanol                                                            (90/10).                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR16##

EXAMPLE 1 2-hydroxy 3-phenoxy propanenitrile

(A; R₁ =R₂ =H) "Compound No. 1".

In a three neck flask of one liter with a mechanical stirrer, thermometer and bromine funnel, were introduced 136 g (1 mole) of monopotassium phosphate and 408 ml of water. At ambient temperature, 136 g (1 mole) of phenoxy-acetaldehyde was added. A very beautiful precipitate is at once formed and the temperature rises slightly.

With cooling on an ice bath, there was added through the bromine funnel a solution of 65 g (1 mole) of potassium cyanide in 130 ml of water watching so that the temperature of the mixture does not exceed 15° C. The addition takes about 30 minutes. An oil is formed which is emulsified by stirring and which starts to precipitate a little after the end of the addition. The stirring was continued in the ice bath for 30 minutes and then the crystals filtered off, washed with water until neutrality and dried to constant weight. The product obtained melting at about 56° C. was recrystallized in 10 volumes of carbon tetrachloride. In this way a product melting at 59° C. was obtained.

T.L.C.: eluant C a single spot Rf=0.3.

Analysis: C₉ H₉ NO₂. M=163.18. Calculated %: C: 66.24; H: 5.56; N: 8.58. Found %: C: 66.18; H: 5.63; N: 8.73.

Similarly, the cyanhydrins (A) assembled in Table I were obtained:

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         3-phenoxy lactontriles A:                                                       ##STR17##                                                                     Compound                                                                       No.      R.sub.1  R.sub.2 M.P. °C.                                                                       Recrystallisation                             ______________________________________                                         1        H        H       60     CCl.sub.4 10 vol.                             2        o-CH.sub.3                                                                              H       60     CCl.sub.4                                     3        p-CH.sub.3                                                                              H       64     CCl.sub.4                                     4        o-CH.sub.3                                                                              o'-CH.sub.3                                                                            80     CCl.sub.4                                     5        o-OCH.sub.3                                                                             H       88     CCl.sub.4 7.5 vol.                            6        p-OCH.sub.3                                                                             H       63     Trichlorethylene                                                               2 vol.                                        7        p-Cl     H       72-5   CCl.sub.4                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2 N-tert.-butyl 2-hydroxy 3-p-tolyloxy propanamide

(A₃ ; R₁ =p-CH₃, R₂ =R₅ =H, R₄ =(CH₃)₃ C) Compound No. 10.

Into a 500 ml flask with stirring, refrigeration, thermometer and dropping funnel, to a mixture of 20.4 g (0.115 mole) of 3-p-tolyloxy lactonitrile and 120 ml of tert.-butanol, was added 50 ml of boron trifluoride etherate and then it was kept in a water bath at 50° C. for 2 hours.

It was then run into 500 ml of cold water, the gummy product obtained was separated and it was crystallized in 100 ml of isopropyl ether. After filtration and drying, the product obtained was recrystallized in 12 volumes of ethanol (2 vol.)-isopropyl ether (10 vol.) mixture. M.P.=141°-2° C.

T.L.C.: elution with a single spot R_(f) =0.4.

Analysis: C₁₄ H₂₁ NO₃. M=251.34. Calculated: C: 66.91; H: 8.42; N: 5.57. Found: C: 66.66; H: 8.54; N: 5.55. 66.61; 8.40.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 3375 (CO--NH--), 3200 (OH), 1640-60 cm⁻¹ (CO--NH).

The 2-N-tert.-butyl hydroxy 3-aryloxy propanamides (A_(3a)) assembled in the following table were obtained similarly.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         N-tert.-butyl 2-hydroxy 3-aryloxy propanamides (A.sub.3a)                       ##STR18##                                                                     Com-                                                                           pound              M.P.    Recrystal-                                                                              T.L.C.                                     No.   R.sub.1  R.sub.2 °C.                                                                           lisation eluant                                                                               Rf                                 ______________________________________                                          8    H        H       123   CCl.sub.4 3 vol.                                                                        B     0.36                                9    o-CH.sub.3                                                                              H       80    hexane 10                                                                               B     0.45                                                            vol.                                              10    p-CH.sub.3                                                                              H       141   EtOH 2 vol.                                                                             A     0.40                                                            + isopropyl                                                                    ether 10 vol.                                     11    o-CH.sub.3                                                                              o'-CH.sub.3                                                                            130   AcOEt 4 vol.                                                                            A     0.38                               12    o-OCH.sub.3                                                                             H       96    Isopropyl                                                                               C     0.27                                                            ether 4 vol.                                      13    p-OCH.sub.3                                                                             H       100-4 Isopropyl                                                                               C     0.30                                                            ether 5 vol.                                      14    p-Cl     H       130   MeOH 1 vol.                                                                             D     0.75                                                            + isopropyl                                                                    ether 4.5 vol.                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3 2-hydroxy 3-p-chlorophenoxy propanoic acid

(A₁ ; R₁ =p-Cl, R₂ =H) Compound No. 21.

A mixture of 5.43 g (0.02 mole) of N-tert.-butyl 2-hydroxy 3-p-chlorophenoxy propanamide in 16.3 ml of water, 16.3 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid (d=1.18) and 5.4 ml of acetic acid was brought to reflux for 3 h 45 until the solution became clear. On cooling, the product crystallized. It was filtered, washed with water and dried. It was recrystallizable in water (40 vol.). Crystals in flakes M.P.=138° C.

T.L.C.: eluant C. Rf=0.48.

Analysis: C₉ H₉ ClO₄. M=216.62. Calculated: C: 49.90; H: 4.19. Found: C: 50.02; H: 4.08.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 3350 (OH) and 1715 cm⁻¹ (COOH).

The 3-aryloxy lactic acids (A₁) obtained similarly are assembled in Table III.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                         3-aryloxy lactic acids (A.sub.1):                                               ##STR19##                                                                     Com-                                                                           pound              M.P.   Recrystal-                                                                               T.L.C.                                     No.   R.sub.1  R.sub.2 °C.                                                                          lisation  eluant                                                                               Rf                                 ______________________________________                                          15*  H        H       160  water 4 vol.                                                                             D     0.58                                16*  o-CH.sub.3                                                                              H       145  water 10 vol.                                                                            C     0.53                               17    p-CH.sub.3                                                                              H       153  water 10 vol.                                                                            D     0.26                               18    o-CH.sub.3                                                                              o'-CH.sub.3                                                                            137  water 10 vol.                                                                            D     0.75                                19*  o-OCH.sub.3                                                                             H       ˜90                                                                           poorly    D     0.34                                                           recrystal-                                                                     lizing oil                                         20    p-OCH.sub.3                                                                             H       160  EtOH 6 vol.                                                                              D     0.44                               21    p-Cl     H       137  water 40 vol.                                                                            C     0.42                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4 2-acetoxy 3-(p-chlorophenoxy) propanoic acid.

(A₂ ; R₁ =p-Cl, R₂ =H, R₃ =CH₃) Compound No. 22

To 38.97 g (0.18 mole) of 2-hydroxy 3-p-chlorophenoxy propanoic acid placed in a 250 ml flask surmounted by a refrigerating column provided with a calcium chloride trap, was added 58.5 ml of acetyl chloride and it was kept in a bath at 45° C. for 4 h. It was concentrated on a rotary evaporator, the residue was taken up again with toluene which was driven off to remove the excess acetyl chloride. The residue was dissolved in 180 ml of a 10% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The solution obtained was treated with animal black at ambient temperature for 15 minutes and then filtered on paper. The colorless solution obtained was acidified to pH=1 with 2 N hydrochloric acid.

The precipitate obtained was filtered, washed with water and dried.

M.P.=51.5°-52.5° (capillary).

It was a monohydrate which, dried in a vacuum dessicator, was converted into an oil.

T.L.C.: eluant C. Rf=0.31.

Analysis: C₁₁ H₁₁ ClO₅ : 1 H₂ O. M=276.67. Calculated %: C: 47.75; H: 4.73. Found %: C: 47.74; H: 4.52; C: 47.95; H: 4.51

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): band at 1750 cm⁻¹ (COOH).

EXAMPLE 5

In the same way, there was obtained:

2-acetoxy 3-phenoxy propanoic acid (A₂ ; R₁ =R₂ =H, R₃ =CH₃) Compound No. 23

which was also purified through its sodium salt obtained by means of sodium carbonate. M.P.=109° C.

T.L.C.: eluant D. Rf=0.71.

Analysis: C₁₁ H₁₂ O₅. M=224.21. Calculated %: C: 58.93; H: 5.39. Found %: C: 59.07; H: 5.42; C: 59.04; H: 5.46.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 1760 and 1710 cm⁻¹ (CO acid and CO ester).

EXAMPLE 6 (a) 3-phenoxy 2-acetoxy propionyl chloride

To 22.42 g (0.1 mole) of 2-acetoxy 3-phenoxy propanoic acid, was added 24 g of thionyl chloride and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours. The excess of thionyl chloride was driven off on a rotary evaporator and the residue was distilled under nitrogen. B.P.₁₄ =163°-8° C.

(b) N-morpholino 2-acetoxy 3-phenoxy propanamide

(A₄ ; R₁ =R₂ =H, R₃ =CH₃, NR₄ R₅ -morpholinyl) Compound No. 45.

To 1.73 ml (0.02 mole) of morpholine in solution in 25 ml of isopropyl ether, were added 2.42 g (0.01 mole) of 2-acetoxy 3-phenoxy propionyl chloride in solution in 15 ml of isopropyl ether. The morpholine hydrochloride precipitated at once. After 4 hours of stirring at ambient temperature, the precipitate was filtered off and washed with a little isopropyl ether. The filtrate was dried. The residue obtained was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and concentrated to dryness. The residue was recrystallized in a mixture of 1 volume of carbon tetrachloride and 9 volumes of isopropyl ether. M.P.=89° C.

T.L.C.: eluant B. Rf=0.55.

Analysis: C₁₅ H₁₉ NO₅. M=293.33. Calculated %: C: 61.42; H: 6.53; N:4.78. Found %: C: 61.33; H: 6.74; N: 4.87.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 1745 (CO ester) and 1655 cm⁻¹ (CO amide).

EXAMPLE 7 N-isopropyl 2-hydroxy 3-(p-chlorophenoxy) propanamide

(A₃ : R₁ =p-Cl, R₂ =R₅ =H, R₄ =(CH₃)₂ CH) Compound No. 24.

To 3 g (0.01 mole) of N-isopropyl 2-acetoxy 3-(p-chlorophenoxy) propanamide, was added 9 ml of alcohol and 4 ml of a 10% soda solution with magnetic stirring. A yellow solution was obtained which was heated on the water bath for a half hour. On cooling, the product recrystallized. It was filtered, washed with water, dried and finally recrystallized in 5 volumes of ethyl acetate. M.P.=117° C.

T.L.C.: eluant D. Rf=0.50.

Analysis: C₁₂ H₁₆ ClNO₃. M=252,72. Calculated %: C: 55.93; H: 6.26; N: 5.43. Found %: C: 55.76; H: 6.18; N: 5.40.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 3370 (OH), 3320 (NH), 1640-60 cm⁻¹ (CONH).

EXAMPLE 8 N-isopropyl 2-hydroxy 3-phenoxy propanamide

(A₃ ; R₁ =R₂ =R₅ =H, R₄ =(CH₃)₂ CH) Compound No. 25.

This product was obtained as in Example 7 from 2.65 g of N-isopropyl 2-acetoxy 3-phenoxy propanamide. M.P.=68°-70° C. (isopropyl ether 4 volumes).

T.L.C.: eluant B. Rf=0.33.

Analysis: C₁₂ H₁₇ NO₃ M=223.27 Calculated %: C: 64.55 H: 7.67 N: 6.27 Found %: 64.29 7.79 6.22 64.36 7.85

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 3380 (OH), 3320 (NH), 1630 cm⁻¹ (CONH).

EXAMPLE 9 N-isopropyl 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoyloxy) 3-(p-chlorophenoxy) propanamide

(A₄ ; R₁ =p-Cl, R₂ =R₅ =H, R₃ =3,4,5 (MeO)₃ C₆ H₂, R₄ =(CH₃)₂ CH) Compound No. 110.

To 5.15 g (0.02 mole) of N-isopropyl 2-hydroxy 3-(p-chlorophenoxy) propanamide, 50 ml of toluene and 3.35 ml (0.024 mole) of triethylamine, was added 5.07 g (0.022 mole) of 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoyl chloride and the mixture was brought to reflux with stirring for 4 hours. After cooling, the mixture was taken up with 70 ml of chloroform, washed successively with water, with a 2 N solution of soda and finally with water. Dried over sodium sulphate. The residue obtained, after evaporation of the solvent, was recrystallized in 8 volumes of alcohol. M.P.=151° C.

T.L.C.: eluant C. Rf=0.6

Analysis: C₂₂ H₂₆ ClNO₇. M=451.91 Calculated %: C: 58.47; H: 5.80; N: 3.10. Found %: C: 58.47; H: 5.68; N: 3.11.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 3260 (NH), 1730 (CO ester) and 1655 cm⁻¹ (CO amide).

EXAMPLE 10 N-tert.-butyl 2-(trans-cinnamoyloxy) 3-(2,6-dimethyl phenoxy) propanamide

(A₄ ; R₁ =o-CH₃, R₂ =o'-CH₃, R₃ =C₆ H₅ --CH═CH, R₄ =(CH₃)₃ C, R₅ =H) Compound No. 58.

To 5.3 g (0.02 mole) of N-tert.-butyl 2-hydroxy 3-(2,6- dimethyl phenoxy) propanamide, 50 ml of toluene and 3,35 ml of triethylamine, was added 3.66 g (0.022 mole) of trans-cinnamoyl chloride and the mixture was heated on an oil bath at 140° C. for 4 hours. After cooling, taking up again in chloroform and washings as in Example 9, the product obtained after the evaporation was recrystallized in 10 volumes of isopropyl ether. M.P.=108° C.

T.L.C.: eluant A Rf=0.6.

Analysis: C₂₄ H₂₉ NO₄. M=395.5. Calculated %: C: 72.88; H: 7.39; N: 3.54. Found %: C: 72.53; H: 7.42; N: 3.57.

I.R. spectrum (1% KBr tablet): bands at 3260 (NH), 1720 (CO ester), 1670 (CO amide) and 1640 cm⁻¹ (double bond).

The amides of the O-acylated derivatives of the phenoxy lactic acids (Compounds A₄) which are obtained in accordance with the cases in Example 6 (from esters at the 2 position of the phenoxy lactic acids), 9 (from hydroxy amides A₃) or 10 (from Ritter hydroxy amides A_(3a)) are assembled in Table IV.

                                      TABLE IV                                     __________________________________________________________________________     2-acyloxy 3-phenoxy propanamides:                                               ##STR20##                                                                     Compound                            M.P.                T.L.C.                 No.   R.sub.1                                                                             R.sub.2                                                                            R.sub.3   R.sub.4 R.sub.5                                                                           °C.                                                                         Recrystallisation                                                                              Eluant                                                                             Rf                 __________________________________________________________________________     26    H    H   CH.sub.3  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  53  Cyclohexane 5 vol.                                                                             B   0.60               27    H    H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  141 EtOH 4.5 vol.   B   0.71               28    H    H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  88  Hexane 10 vol.  B   0.78               29    H    H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  123 Ether iso 15 vol.                                                                              B   0.80               30    H    H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  57  Petroleum ether 3 vol.                                                                         B   0.80                                                       cyclohexane 1.5 vol.                   31    H    H   3-pyridyl C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  112 Ether iso 5 vol.                                                                               C CCl.sub.4                                                                        0.84                                                       2.5 vol.                               32    H    H   CH.sub.3  CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  109 CCl.sub.4 5 vol. + ether                                                                       Bso 0.57                                                       14 vol.                                33    H    H   CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.14                                                               CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  73  EtOH 14 vol.    B   0.66               34    H    H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                          CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  139 EtOH 5.5 vol.   B   0.56               35    H    H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  133 EtOH 5.5 vol.   B   0.56               36    H    H   p-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                              CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  132 EtOH 2,75 vol. + ether                                                                         Bso 0.57                                                       2.75 vol.                              37    H    H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  151 MeOH 14 vol.    B   0.67                38   H    H   p-NO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  175 AcOEt 11.5 vol. not revealed           39     H   H   p-NH.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  173 EtOH 29 vol.    B   0.36               40    H    H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  145 EtOH 5 vol.     B   0.47               41    H    H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  134 MeOH 4 vol.     B   0.66               42    H    H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                          CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  73  Ether iso 5 vol.                                                                               B   0.58               43    H    H   3-pyridyl CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  143 AcOEt 7 vol.    B   0.21               44    H    H   CH.sub.3  C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                        H  81  Ether iso 10 vol.                                                                              B   0.67               45    H    H   CH.sub.3  (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                         89  CCl.sub.4 1 vol.                                                                               B   0.48                                                       ether iso 9 vol.                       46    o-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  129 ether iso 20 vol.                                                                              C   0.95               47    o-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  86  iso-PrOH 4 vol. B   0.71               48    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   CH.sub.3  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  76  ether iso 5 vol.                                                                               A   0.51               49    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  106 ether iso 10 vol.                                                                              A   0.65               50    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  142 EtOH 6 vol.     A   0.62               51    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   p-NO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  158 EtOH 18 vol.    A   0.54               52    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   p-NH.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  122 EtOH 2 vol. +   C   0.42                                                       hexane 15 vol.                         53    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  97  ether iso 11.5 vol.                                                                            A   0.43               54    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  125 EtOH 5 vol.     A   0.59               55    p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H   3-pyridyl C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  132 EtOH 1.5 vol. + A   0.39                                                       ether iso 24.5 vol.                    56    o-CH.sub.3                                                                          o'-CH.sub.3                                                                        CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.14                                                               C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  80  Iso-PrOH        A   0.61               57    o-CH.sub.3                                                                          o'-CH.sub.3                                                                        3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  112 iso-PrOH 5 vol. A   0.46               58    o-CH.sub.3                                                                          o'-CH.sub.3                                                                        C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  108 ether iso 10 vol.                                                                              A   0.60               59    o-CH.sub.3                                                                          o'-CH.sub.3                                                                        3-pyridyl C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  125 ether iso 15 vol.                                                                              A   0.35               60    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   CH.sub.3  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  88  ether iso 6 vol.                                                                               B   0.53               61    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   ClCH.sub.2                                                                               C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  103 ether iso 11.5 vol.                                                                            B   0.60               62    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2).sub.14                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  66  hexane 5 vol.   B   0.67               63    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  135 MeOH 4 vol.     C   0.44               64    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  137 EtOH 6 vol.     B   0.64               65    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  136 iso-PrOH 5 vol. B   0.53               66    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  154 EtOH 7 vol.     B   0.60               67    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-NO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  144 EtOH 7 vol.     B   0.79               68    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-NH.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  145 EtOH 7 vol.     B   0.41               69    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  113 ether iso 20 vol.                                                                              B   0.79               70    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  152 AcOEt 7 vol.    B   0.77               71    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  75  hexane 11.5 vol.                                                                               B   0.53               72    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   3-pyridyl C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  98  ether iso 9 vol.                                                                               C   0.73               73    o-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   CH.sub.3  CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  87  digestion in hexane                                                                            C   0.78               74    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   CH.sub.3  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  75  ether iso 3 vol.                                                                               C   0.45                                                       cyclohexane 1 vol.                     75    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   ClCH.sub.2                                                                               C(CH.sub.3).sub. 3                                                                     H  93  ether iso 6 vol.                                                                               C   0.45               76    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2).sub.14                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  55  MeOH 3 vol.     C   0.81               77    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  124 EtOH 1 vol. +   C   0.45                                                       ether iso 5 vol.                       78    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  90  iso-PrOH 3 vol. C   0.45               79    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  128 MeOH 5 vol.     B   0.60               80    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  110 MeOH 7 vol.     C   0.50               81    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-NO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  110 EtOH 10 vol.    C   0.55               82    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   p-NH.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  151 MeOH 7 vol.     C   0.36               83    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  131 MeOH 7 vol.     C   0.43               84    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  130 MeOH 7 vol.     C   0.43               85    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  95  MeOH 4 vol.     C   0.53               86    p-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H   3-pyridyl C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  116 EtOH 1 vol. +   C   0.29                                                       ether iso 5 vol.                       87    p-Cl H   CH.sub.3  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  104 cyclohexane 5 vol.                                                                             D   0.95               88    p-Cl H   ClCH.sub.2                                                                               C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  96  iso-PrOH 3 vol. C   0.59               89    p-Cl H   CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2).sub.14                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  60  ether iso 5 vol.                                                                               C   0.73               90    p-Cl H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                          C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  152 ether iso       B   0.69               91    p-Cl H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  105 iso-PrOH 4 vol. D   0.96               92    p-Cl H   p-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  139 EtOH 9.5 vol.   B   0.80               93    p-Cl H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  152 EtOH 12 vol.    C   0.66               94    p-Cl H   p-NO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  157 EtOH 12 vol.    B   0.50               95    p-Cl'                                                                               H   p-NH.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  158 EtOH 10 vol.    B   0.56               96    p-Cl H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  118 ether iso 8 vol.                                                                               C   0.86               97    p-Cl H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  128 cyclohexane 9 vol.                                                                             D   0.97               98    p-Cl H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH.sub.2                                                                C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  62  hexane 5 vol.   B   0.63               99    p-Cl H   3-pyridyl C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                      H  143 EtOH 2 vol. +   C   0.39                                                       ether iso 2 vol.                       100   p-Cl H   CH.sub.3  CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  108 EtOH 7.5 vol. + C   0.59                                                       water 7.5 vol.                         101   p-Cl H   ClCH.sub.2                                                                               CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  88  ether iso 6 vol.                                                                               C   0.61               102   p-Cl H   (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                              CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  76  cyclohexane 5 vol.                                                                             C   0.54               103   p-Cl H   CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2).sub.14                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  74  EtOH 5 vol.     C   0.68               104   p-Cl H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                          CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  144 EtOH 10 vol.    C   0.63               105   p-Cl H   p-CH.sub.3C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  138 EtOH 5 vol.     C   0.76               106   p-Cl H   p-CH.sub.3 OC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                              CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  136 EtOH 6 vol.     C   0.53               107   p-Cl H   p-ClC.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                      CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  176 AcOEt 12 vol.   C   0.70               108   p-Cl H   p-NO.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  182 AcOH 7 vol.     C   0.46               109   p-Cl H   p-NH.sub.2C.sub.6 H.sub.4                                                                CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  150 EtOH 7 vol.     C   0.38               110   p-Cl H   3,4,5(CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 C.sub.6 H.sub.2                                                  CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  151 EtOH 8 vol.     C   0.62               111   p-Cl H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CHCH                                                                      CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  136 EtOH 5 vol.     C   0.70               112   p-Cl H   C.sub.6 H.sub.5CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                          CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  111 EtOH 8 vol.     C   0.66               113   p-Cl H   3-pyridyl CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     H  160 EtOH 6 vol.     C   0.33               114   p-Cl H   CH.sub.3  (CH.sub.2).sub.2O(CH.sub.2).sub.2                                                         77  cyclohexane 9 vol.                                                                             C   0.45               115   p-Cl H   CH.sub.3  C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                        H  102 ether iso 7 vol.                                                                               C   0.55               __________________________________________________________________________

It is self-evident that the present invention has only been described in a purely explanatory and nonlimiting manner and that any useful modification could be introduced therein without departing from its scope as defined by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. Process for the manufacture of phenoxylactic acids and their derivatives of the general formula: ##STR21## (in which R₁ and R₂, identical or different, can represent hydrogen atoms, methyl residues, methoxy groups or halogens; Y represents an OH or O--CO-R₃ group with R₃ representing either an aliphatic residue optionally substituted with a halogen, or an aromatic residue optionally substituted on the nucleus with one or several methyl, methoxy, halogen groups or a pyridyl group; Z represents OH group or an ##STR22## with R₄ representing an alkyl or aryl radical and R₅ hydrogen or an alkyl radical, or NR₄ R₅ represents the morpholinyl radical), which process consists of subjecting a cyanhydrin of the formula: ##STR23## (where R₁ and R₂ have the above-mentioned significance) to a reaction with tert. butanol or isobutene in the presence of an acid to obtain the compound of the formula: ##STR24## and of hydrolysing the latter to obtain the corresponding acid of formula (A₁) as defined above, in which Z and Y represent --OH, then, optionally, subjecting this acid to conventional reactions for preparing ester-acids, ester-amides or corresponding amides respectively of the formula: ##STR25## (where R₁ and R₂, R₃, R₄ and R₅ have the above significance).
 2. Process according to claim 6 wherein said compound of the formula ##STR26## is obtained by reacting a corresponding phenoxy acetaldehyde ##STR27## (wherein R₁ and R₂, identical or different, can represent hydrogen atoms, methyl residues, methoxy groups or halogens) with an aqueous alkaline cyanide solution optionally in the presence of dihydrogen potassium phosphate.
 3. Process according to claim 1, in which the compound (A) is selected from among:2-hydroxy 3-phenoxy propanenitrile 2-hydroxy 3-(o-tolyloxy) propanenitrile 2-hydroxy 3-(p-tolyloxy) propanenitrile 2-hydroxy 3-(dimethyl-2,6 phenoxy) propanenitrile 2-hydroxy 3-(o-methoxy phenoxy) propanenitrile 2-hydroxy 3-(p-methoxy phenoxy) propanenitrile 2-hydroxy 3-(p-chloro phenoxy) propanenitrile.
 4. 3-aryloxy lactic acids and 3-aryloxy O-acyl lactic acids, prepared by the process according to claim 1 and corresponding to the formula (A₁) as defined and in which Z and Y represent OH.
 5. 2-hydroxy and 2-acyloxy 3-aryloxy propanamides as obtained by the process according to claim 1 and corresponding to one of the formulae A₃ or A₄ as defined therein. 